as meaningless as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as meaningless as" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to express that something has no relevance or value. For example, "His explanation was as meaningless as a tax audit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That question is as meaningless as the movie's title.

The New York Times

The observation is as meaningless as it is vulgar.

The Guardian - Books

Secularism can seem as meaningless as religion when such doubt strikes.

The New Yorker

Has a ring to it, even if it's as meaningless as this exit tour.

The New York Times

Really, nature was as cruel and as meaningless as any man, as any woman.

The New York Times - Magazine

Bayern's 64 per cent possession stats were as meaningless as they have been in recent months for United.

Independent

Reporting the burglaries to the police was as meaningless as an elementary school student reporting a lost pencil.

The New York Times

The tweet from Bill Clinton, above, is as meaningless as announcing that he landed between Calgary and Buenos Aires.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

And the daily poll numbers are as mystifying -- and ultimately, as meaningless -- as the daily stock charts.

The New York Times

So he dismissed their screams and howls as mere reflexes, as meaningless physiological noise.

The New Yorker

And to accept Obama's promises as meaningless boilerplate, as Lilla seems to do, is itself deeply corrosive of the political process in this country.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as meaningless as" to emphasize the complete lack of value or relevance of something in comparison to a well-known example. For instance, "Trying to argue with him is "as meaningless as" shouting into the wind."

Common error

Avoid using "as meaningless as" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound too colloquial. Opt for more formal alternatives like "insignificant" or "irrelevant" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as meaningless as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It modifies a noun by emphasizing its lack of significance through a comparison to something widely understood to be without meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as meaningless as" is a commonly used and grammatically sound construction for emphasizing the complete lack of value or relevance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a comparative adjective phrase, effectively conveying that something is utterly insignificant. While versatile, it's best employed with a degree of caution in very formal contexts, where alternatives might lend a more sophisticated tone. Given the wide range of sources, its use is prevalent across diverse writing styles, with news and media being the most frequent contexts. Related phrases like "completely insignificant" or "utterly pointless" offer nuanced ways to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has no importance

Directly states the lack of importance or relevance.

totally worthless

Highlights the lack of monetary or intrinsic value.

completely insignificant

Highlights the lack of importance or consequence.

bears no significance

Highlights the absence of importance or relevance.

entirely devoid of meaning

Focuses on the absence of any meaningful content or purpose.

of no consequence

Indicates that something has no effect or importance.

serves no purpose

Focuses on the lack of utility or function.

utterly pointless

Emphasizes the complete lack of purpose or value.

amounts to nothing

Expresses that something has no real effect or value.

absolutely futile

Stresses the ineffectiveness and uselessness of something.

FAQs

How can I use "as meaningless as" in a sentence?

Use "as meaningless as" to compare something to something else widely understood to lack meaning or value. For example, "His promises were "as meaningless as empty air"".

What can I say instead of "as meaningless as"?

You can use alternatives like "completely insignificant", "utterly pointless", or "entirely devoid of meaning" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "as meaningless as" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "as meaningless as" may sound somewhat informal. Consider using more formal alternatives like "insignificant" or "lacking consequence" in academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "as meaningless as" and "irrelevant"?

"As meaningless as" implies a complete lack of value or purpose, often through comparison. "Irrelevant", on the other hand, simply means not connected to or important to the matter at hand. Something can be irrelevant without being entirely without meaning.